Category: Uncategorized

The tragic school shooting at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL on February 14, 2018 has had a ripple effect across the nation, sparking intense debate on Second Amendment rights vs. Common Sense Gun Control measures.

Here are some resources for those who wish to research this issue further:

Disturbing news to cap off 2017: NJ 101.5 is reporting that according to the latest State Police stats, traffic deaths in New Jersey this year are at the highest level in 10 years.

“The number of people killed in car crashes in New Jersey is up for the fourth straight year, reaching a level last seen a decade ago.

Through Tuesday, there had been 628 traffic fatalities in New Jersey in 2017 and still rising – the most since 2007 and on pace to finish the year with nearly 100 more deaths than at the recent low point in 2013, when fatalities had dipped to the lowest mark in 91 years.”

In September 2016, Assemblyman John Wisniewski filed A4005, a bill that would require the NJ driver’s license exam to include questions on distracted driving. It would also prohibit motorists from talking or texting on a hand-held wireless device while their vehicle is temporarily stopped.

Given the frightening statistics released by the NJ State Police, it’s clear that something needs to be done about distracted driving. Assemblyman Wisniewski is retiring from the legislature at the end of this session, so I’m hoping that if the bill isn’t fast-tracked between now and January 16, perhaps another member of the legislature will take up this cause and work to keep both motorists and pedestrians safe.

At long last, the expanded version of Joan’s Law has been signed into law. A373/S607 calls for anyone convicted of killing a child under the age of 18 to be sentenced to Life in Prison with no parole. The original Joan’s Law (first passed in 1997) covered victims under the age of 14. In recent years, Joan’s mother Rosemarie D’Alessandro has been working for this expanded version, in order to extend protections to additional victims, strengthening the deterrent that aims to keep children safer.

Keep NJ Safe is proud to have played a role in getting the new, expanded legislation drafted and filed back in 2010, and we are so happy for Rosemarie to finally see her hard work and tireless efforts come to fruition.

On Thursday, June 22nd, both the NJ Senate and Assembly will hold Voting Sessions in Trenton. There are several pieces of legislation up for a vote this week that would impact Safety in our state:

A373 Joan’s Law This is a bill of particular interest for KNJS–we applaud the tireless efforts of Rosemarie D’Alessandro in working to enact stricter penalties–Life in Prison with No Parole–for adults who murder a child in the course of sex crime. A373 expands Joan’s Law, raising the age of victims affected by this bill to those under the age of 18 (current law covers victims under the age of 14). This is the last hurdle for the bill before it goes to Governor Christie for his signature.

There are several other bills that impact victims of sexual assault that will be voted on by the Senate, includingS3223, the Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights.

We’re also tracking A1114, sponsored by former Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, which requires school districts to “provide instruction on interacting with law enforcement in a manner marked by mutual cooperation and respect, and on the rights of individuals when interacting with a law enforcement official, as part of the implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies, beginning with the 2018-2019 school year. The instruction must provide students with information on: the role and responsibilities of a law enforcement official in providing for public safety; an individual’s responsibilities to comply with a directive from a law enforcement official; and an individual’s rights under law in interacting with a law enforcement official. The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to appoint an advisory committee to assist in the development of a curriculum for the implementation of the instructional requirement, and details the organizations that are to serve on the advisory committee. The bill specifies that the curriculum must consist of two parts, with one part that includes age-appropriate instruction for students enrolled in grades kindergarten through four, and one part designed for the more rigorous instruction of students enrolled in grades five through 12.”

Last but not least, A2320 seeks to raise the minimum age for purchase and sale of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices from 19 to 21. The measure already passed in the Senate, but with opposition, and it’s likely this will face even more pushback in the Assembly on Thursday. While restricting tobacco sales for teens would be a positive measure from a health and well-being point of view, the Office of Legislative Services estimated that if enacted, it will result in anywhere from $15.5 million to $42.9 million in state revenue losses over the next 3 years (mostly from cigarette taxes).

Here’s another video from On the Case with Paula Zahn: this one is a preview of the episode itself. We’re very pleased with the level of sensitivity that was shown by Paula and everyone who worked on the show, and we thank them for helping us share Kim’s story with a wider audience.

When 20-year-old college student Kim Montelaro goes missing from a mall parking lot in Bergen County, New Jersey, police are convinced foul play is behind her disappearance. The following morning her lifeless body was found in a wooded ravine about five miles from the mall. Investigators slowly piece together the disturbing timeline of Kim's last moments alive, but the clue that finally cracks the case comes in a moment that veteran officers still credit to divine intervention.The case begins Sunday at 10/9c on Investigation Discovery.

Just a friendly reminder: the On the Case with Paula Zahn segment about Kim Montelaro will air this coming Sunday, June 18, 2017 at 10pm Eastern/Western, 9pm Central on the Investigation Discovery Channel.

There’s been a flurry of legislative activity leading up to the Budget Vote at the end of this month. Here are two bills we’re keeping an eye on:

S3223 Establishes the Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights, and will be heard in the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee on June 15.

A1272 Student Digital Privacy Parental Rights Act will be heard on June 15 in the Assembly Education Committee. The bill calls for clearer regulations on the information that may be gathered on a student via software or apps used their school computer, and restricts how that information can be used.

After passing the NJ Assembly in February, the expanded version of Joan’s Law awaited further action in the Senate. It cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 1, 2017, which means it just needs to go for a vote the full Senate before heading to Governor Christie’s desk for passage. We hope to see this measure posted for a vote before the end of the current Legislative Session.

This just in!

Keep NJ Safe received confirmation today that the On the Case with Paula Zahn segment about Kim Montelaro will air on Sunday, June 18, 2017 at 10pm Eastern/Western, 9pm Central on the Investigation Discovery Channel.

Investigation Discovery can be found on the following Channels:

Provider

HD

SD

Dish Network

192

192

DirecTV

285

285

Fios TV

623

123

Comcast

889

111

Optimum (Cablevision)

171

171

A reminder will be posted a few days beforehand, but add it your calendar now!